Westwood Super Category II, Austin: Hot Play in the Heat

The Super Category II in Austin over Memorial Day weekend drew over 416 players in men’s and women’s 35-65 and men’s 70-85, singles and doubles; there were also mixed and family events. Jenny Klitch and her brother Tim (the president of the Westwood Club) won the 45 mixed over the Bowes, Beverly and Harrison…Julie Cass also successfully teamed with her brother Brian to win the 35 mixed (and she won the 35 doubles and the 40 singles…to go along with her 50 gold balls!).

Other national players here were Michelle King, a finalist in 35 doubles and 40 singles (to Cass); Nancine Haywood (finalist in 35 singles/doubles); Shelly Works who beat Anna Zimmerman 61 61 to win the 45 singles, a contrast to their 76 in the third score when they played a week ago at the indoors. Anna beat Klitch in the semis in a fine performance. Kathy Vick outlasted Heidi Gerger in 3+ hours in the 50s final. The third set was so close that when I asked 3 onlookers who had been closely watching the match for three hours, they all said Gerger had won (Kathy won 46 62 64). That match had lots of long rallies and occasional trips to the net, mostly by Gerger (who had played 8 sets the day before). Carolyn Nichols won the 55s and Hilary Marold the 60s, and Sheryl Behne the 65s. The older divisions didn’t make draws, partly because the 65/75/85 indoors starts tomorrow.

In the men’s divisions, Guillaume Gauthier destroyed the 35s field; Anders Eriksson won the 40s; Kelly Ward won the 45s convincingly; Val Wilder had to go three sets but won the 50s over Peter Markes (who had to go to 76 in the third to win the semis; Ross Persons was also in the draw); Sal Castillo didn’t drop a set in winning the 55s; Tommy Connell led a set and was down 35 deuce in the 2nd when his opponent Hugh Burris, retired; Jimmy Parker came back from a set down to oust Dick Johnson in the 65 final; Robert Anderman won the 70s; Buddy Lomax took the 75s title and Russell Seymour won the 80s.

Frank Kelly and his crew, particularly Leslie at the tournament desk and Larry Eichenbaum behind the computer, did a great job coordinating the tournament, and managing the conflicts of time. The club, Westwood Country Club in Austin, is beautiful and the Texas people are very nice.